Certified Flight Instructor

Become a Certified Flight Instructor.

CFI Training

Year Round; Train at Your Own Pace
Custom & Accelerated Options Available

Starting Cost

$5,745

See Price Chart Below

CFII Training

Year Round; Train at Your Own Pace
Custom & Accelerated Options Available

Starting Cost

$6,505

See Price Chart Below

Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) – including Instrument Instructors (CFIIs) are the heart & soul of any flight school, including Blue River. CFI/I candidates learn how to equip their future students with the resources & tools they need to succeed, mentor them as they develop their skills, and empower them to exercise superior airmanship long after their training is complete.

While the training – and the checkride – to become a CFI/I is rigorous, it marks an important milestone for the career-track pilot. 

CFI training at Blue River Aviation will primarily consist of learning the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOIs), creating and teaching lesson plans, and learning how to fly from the right seat to commercial pilot standards. You will also do spin training; earning an endorsement upon completion.

CFI/CFII Requirements:

  • Age Restriction

    Pilots must be 18 or older

  • Language Requirements

    You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

  • Current Ratings

    Hold a CPL or ATP certificate for ASEL
    Have an instrument rating
    ( if applying for a CFII )

  • Written Tests

    Pass the FAA FOI knowledge test OR:
    Hold a ground instructor certificate
    Hold a state teaching certificate for grade 7 or higher
    Be employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university
    Pass the FAA written test for FIA
    Pass the FAA written test for CFII ( if applicable )

  • Current Medical

    You must possess at least a third-class FAA medical examination. You will require at least a second-class medical certificate to exercise your privileges as a commercial pilot.

  • Flight Time

    Log at least 15 hours PIC in an ASEL

  • Endorsements

    Stall Awareness & Spin Recovery
    FOI – Fundementals of Instruction
    CFI or CFII

  • Practical Test

    Pass an FAA CFI or CFII checkride – including your oral exam & a practical flight exam from the right seat

Training to be a Flight Instructor

Aspiring CFIs receive structured ground and flight training that covers how people learn, how to teach effectively, and how to design, brief, and deliver lessons in real-world cockpit scenarios. Training also builds proficiency in core ASEL flight maneuvers, instrument basics, and safe operations from preflight through post‑flight so you are prepared to instruct from the right seat.

Ground Training

Receive & log ground training from an authorized instructor on the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) including topics such as:

  • The Learning Process
  • Elements of effective teaching
  • Student evaluation & testing
  • Course development
  • Lesson planning
  • Classroom Training techniques

Flight Proficiency for ASEL

  • Fundamentals of instructing
  • Technical subject areas
  • Preflight preparation
  • Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight
  • Preflight procedures
  • Airport and seaplane base operations
  • Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
  • Fundamentals of flight
  • Performance maneuvers
  • Ground reference maneuvers
  • Slow flight, stalls and spins
  • Basic instrument maneuvers
  • Emergency operations
  • Post-flight procedures

Price Estimate for your CFI Training

Use our pricing chart to estimate your CFI training costs. Pricing is based on a pilot who has completed their commercial certificate and is prepared to focus on Fundamentals of Instruction, lesson planning, and right-seat flight training required for the CFI checkride. Checkride fees not included.

Rating

Description

Rate

Hours

Subtotal

CFI

Aircraft Checkride Rental
(Cessna 172)

$190

3

$570

Dual Flight Instruction
(Cessna 172)

$265

15

$3,975

FAA Written Exams

$175

2

$350

Ground Instruction

$75

10

$750

Online Ground School

$100

–

$100

CFI Total

$5,745

Rating

Description

Rate

Hours

Subtotal

CFII

Aircraft Checkride Rental
(Cessna 172)

$190

2

$380

Dual Flight Instruction
(Cessna 172)

$265

15

$3,975

FAA Written Exams

$175

2

$350

Flight Maneuvers Training

$190

5

$950

Ground Instruction

$75

10

$750

Online Ground School

$100

–

$100

CFI Total

$6,505

Price Estimate for your CFII Training

Use our pricing chart to estimate your CFII training costs. Pricing is based on a current CFI who is instrument current and ready to complete the required instrument instruction training and proficiency needed for the CFII checkride. Checkride fees not included.

The process

How to Earn Your CFI or CFII

01

Earn your CFI or CFII

Before pursuing your CFI/II, obtain your Commercial Pilot Certificate & your instrument rating.

02

Accumulate required flight hours.

You must log 250 Hours before you can become a CFI and have your spin endorsement.

03

Pass your written and flight tests.

pass FOI (Fundamentals of Instructing) and CFI knowledge tests, and pass a practical checkride demonstrating instructional skills from the right seat

Don’t just take our word for it

250+ Happy Flight Training Students

  • “Learning to fly with Blue River has been nothing short of outstanding! The staff are always so helpful and the instructors are on top of their game day in and day out.”
    – Sebastian B.
  • Truly a phenomenal organization. These folks helped me obtain my private pilot license. I flew with several different CFIs and they were all great.
    Thanks to their use of flight schedule pro, and the ability to schedule myself I was able to find times that worked for me and my busy schedule. Another great aspect is flying out of Palmer so much beautiful scenery all around. If you’re on the fence, just do a discovery flight.
    – Daniel W.
  • Absolutely thrilled with my experience at Blue River Aviation! The instructors are top-notch. Their fleet of aircraft is well-maintained and up-to-date. The friendly staff and other students also helped me find a community and build long-lasting friendships while working on my private pilot license. I would highly recommend pursuing your training with Blue River Aviation.
    – Tayler H.

Whats Next?

Ready to get your CFI or CFII with Blue River?

Fill Out Our Inquiry Form

In return, you’ll get an email from us with everything you need to know to get started, and a direct response from a member of our team within 48 hours

Read & Sign Our Enrollment Application

This outlines all of the technical and legal details; from payment policies and insurance to operating procedures and cancellations.

Feel free to call us with questions 907-414-0371

Register For Flight Schedule Pro

Our scheduling software; your digital home base for all your training at Blue River

Book Your Discovery Flight

Still Have Questions? Keep scrolling for our FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

As with all flight training, it varies depending on your experience & proficiency. If you are a career track pilot that has been rapidly making your way from your PPL to your CPL, without many gaps in your training, obtaining your CFI within two months is a realistic goal. The good news is that a lot of CFI training is knowledge-based. If you can perform maneuvers to commercial standards from the right seat, you’re one step ahead and can focus on the fundamentals of teaching & learning to teach while you fly.

Unfortunately, no. We hire our CFIs on a seasonal, as-needed basis. Each applicant is put through a rigorous interview process and held to the same standards. If you do obtain your CFI/I with us, we encourage you to submit your resume and ask your CFI to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. We’d love to consider you!

For CFI and CFI/I – Lots! Take a look at our Funding Resources page for more information. If you are an Alaska resident, we highly recommend applying for the STEP grant.

Many of the students who come here have received previous training somewhere else. We are happy to help you finish your journey to become a CFI pilot.

Yes, we train and fly year round! The summers in Alaska are amazing and offer plenty of good weahter and long days for training. Like anywhere you go there are days that we can not fly due to bad weather. In the winter we keep most of the planes in hangars and plugged in so they are warm and ready to go even on the coldest days.

Ready to take off?

Let’s get you flying!

Let’s check that you’re human*
Twin Comanche
Our Fleet

The best aircraft in the business.

BBlue River Aviation is proud of our expansive fleet. We provide aircraft for a wide variety of training. These include: Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), Complex, Floats, Skis, Tailwheels, and Multi-Engine. Go check out the Blue River fleet!

Learn More
Twin Comanche – Twin Engine

Reserve your Spot Now

Summer 2026

Float Training

Book Today